Bessa frustration for Bayern

FC Bayern München and Boavista FC played out a tame, scoreless draw at the Bessa stadium which enabled the UEFA Champions League title holders to stay above the Portuguese team in Group A. It was a match of few goalscoring opportunities, with the best coming as early as the third minute when Oliver Kahn denied Frechaut following a corner.

Germans stay unbeaten There was little over the 90 minutes to satisfy the German team apart from the fact that they continue their unbeaten run in the second group stage and at the same time strengthened their chances of booking a quarter-final place. Samuel Kuffour was exemplary at the back and came close to snatching a late goal, but there were too many individuals off colour to please coach Ottmar Hitzfeld.

Boavista give it their all The Boavista supporters could have no complaints that their team did not go totally in pursuit of the victory that they really needed to boost their ambitions of making progress in the competition. However, they lacked composure when it mattered most and will be disappointed that they did not make more of a host of corners and free-kicks.

Frechaut denied Boavista were out of luck with their early chance as Frechaut went full length to connect with his head. However, Kahn will no doubt argue that his reflexes were exceptionally sharp for that stage of the night and he deserved to keep a clean sheet. The German international showed no less defiance near the end of the first half when the hard-working Erwin Sánchez let fly and was frustrated as the goalkeeper took off and palmed the ball away by his left-hand post.

Offside decisions Both sides had the ball in the net and neither could have any complaint that the decision to disallow the 'goal' through offside was harsh. The Boavista offside trap was a source of frustration to the visitors all night long and consequently little was seen of Giovane Elber. The Brazilian never looked like adding to his six goals in the competition and it was no surprise when he was substituted midway through the second half.

Scholl denied Mehmet Scholl was another who stayed on the periphery of the action as Roque Santa Cruz took the midfield honours for Bayern. In the 49th minute, a foul on the German midfield player gave Scholl the opportunity to exact revenge from the free-kick and he drew a fine tip-over save from Ricardo.

Dramatic twistSanta Cruz went on a late run that promised to bring a dramatic twist to a disappointing occasion in Bayern's favour. His charge carried him deep into the penalty area before Ricardo came out to make the block. Then Kuffour saw a glancing header nick the outside of a post although defeat would have been extremely harsh on the Portuguese hosts.

Improvement needed The sides meet again next week when neutrals can only hope that the entertainment factor will be a raised a degree or two higher.

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